Now that Microsoft has strengthened the firewall in Windows Xp with the latest service pack, I am wondering if I can ditch my other firewall (Sygate)?

Symantec claims "The Windows Firewall is designed to monitor and control inbound network traffic only"

Source : http://www.symantec.com/techsupp/sp2...&tpre=us&tdir=

I guess I thought the sp2 firewall was supposed to monitor both incoming and outgoing? Anyway, are you guys going to keep your existing firewalls or are they now obsolete? I like to run only the programs that I really need.

MNKid

Sheesh, if it doesn't do outfoing theen what is the point? Gonna keep the old stuff til I find out. You sure "SP2 doesn't block outgoing?

I know that it's blocking FlashFXP to connect :(

I have to add it manually in the firewall rules :)

Like I said, I thought all along that is supposed to monitor outgoing, but Symantec says otherwise. Maybe just ther "spin" or more likely a bald-faced lie to keep people from bailing on their firewall.

When a new program attempts to connect to the internet for the first time it asks wether to block or allow it- so it must be monitoring outbound connections as well.

XP firewall - better than before but not good enough. A third opinion here:
In short ZDNet claims the XP SP2 firewall isn't as good as your third-party "real" firewall.

No surprise, really. I do like the confomt of an good firewall, and unlike most of you, continue to prefer Norton Personal Firewall.

i have been testing the sp2 firewall on one of my pc and it's not that great it does have outbond protection but it does not detect every application that try to connect.
for example i can use adware and spybot to update the spyware definition without xp firewall even doing anything about it .

I'll stick to Sygate and my Router for my workstation.
I think the new firewall is better than before but is long way from good

Sony

Thanks for the views. Think I'll stick with Sygate for now. Even the free version sounds better than the windows one in sp2. Too bad, sort of had my hopes up that microsoft would come through. Seems like they went from half a firewall to 3 quarters of a firewall. Still not detecting all outgoing activity, apparently. And here I thought they were starting to get serious about security. Guess I bought into the hype.

As a test, I had both acrobat and realplayer check for updates, and the windows firewall says nothing. I like it when I am notified, at least the first time, any app tries to access the internet. I don't like programs 'phoning home' without my knowledge, so I am a bit bummed out.

I'm no expert, but am I missing something here? Is there a way to make sure every online attempt by every program brings up an alert with the new firewall?

MNKid

@MinnesotaKid - your post got me worried so I thought I would install Norton's NIS - during the install a message popped up telling me to forget about MS's firewall and use Norton's. I don't believe that used to happen with MS's firewall. so you might be right in installing Sygate.

Don't quote me but...

The Windows Firewall will not be a "real" firewall until longhorn. Along with full Anti Virus. Though "parts" may see the light of day around the release of XP Reloaded, if Microsoft still decides to release yet another interim release between XP and longhorn. What does "parts" mean?

"They" are not really saying, but IP6 comes into the picture some where. ;) That and "some" believe a new and improved user interface. Also some are saying that by default, all third party know applications will be blocked as well. Via "Security Center".

For example if you download Mozila FireFox and attempt to install it you will get a warning dialog and maybe even denied access according to "access rules via Security Center". Meaning the Admin can deny third party appz. Pretty cool? That is if the user keeps control and Microsoft just does not block everything that is not digitally signed by Microsoft Corp.

Kinda scary at the same time. Nice for system admins though. :P

And of course advanced control over third party appz. You know like different configs for know appz. To setup the firewall correctly etc. For example opening ports for certain games automatticly. Etc.

Just like every other real third party firewall.

I just hope there is as much control as in zone alarm and sygate.

Though it might be doubtfull even with longhorn. Seeing as some believe Microsoft should just give up on the whole firewall and anti virus idea as it is. Since Microsoft will just screw it up anyways. ;)

Again right out of the box.

Added a Poll. :)

Please disregard the Hardware Routers/Firewalls if you have one. The poll question only applies for Software Firewalls.

Cheers,
McoreD

Well, Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) has prevented my PC getting the blaster virus when it was widely spreading. Now Windows Firewall is an improved version of ICF.

I don't have any problems so far with Windows Firewall. Tested with GRC and I am satisfied with the results. For now, I am only installing a 3rd party antivirus and prefer to keep Windows Firewall ON. :)

I'm staying with Sygate, at least for the foreseeable future. WinXP firewall may work, but I know Sygate does. :)

Oh whoops yeah forgot to say I'm sticking with Sygate too. :)

Just tried Sygate Personal Firewall 5.5. It doesn't detect in Security Center does it?

well. I used sygate for a long time, but now have switched the the XP firewall; that, with the built in protection from my USR 8200 Secure Storage Router Pro seems to be plenty for me; yeah, the XP firewall doesnt seem to catch ALL outbound traffic, but aren't most folks here using a router anyway??